Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 February 2007
19 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs to outline the United Nations Development Programme strategies for poverty reduction and economic incentives in identified areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4203/07]
View answerThe United Nations' Development Programme (UNDP) is the leading development organisation within the UN system and poverty reduction is at the core of its mandate and work. In recognition of the central role played by UNDP within the UN development system, Ireland has increased its core contributions to the organisation in recent years, for instance contributing €16.2m in 2006.
UNDP works at a strategic level to reduce poverty and assist in reaching the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). National ownership is at the heart of its approach. It works closely with Governments in the formulation of national poverty eradication strategies based on local needs and priorities. UNDP supports the implementation of these nationally-owned solutions and helps ensure their effectiveness by connecting countries to global best practice and resources, and by coordinating the efforts of central Government, civil society and outside funders.
Specific activities undertaken by UNDP include advice and capacity building in the area of macroeconomic and financial sector reform, as well as cooperation with Governments and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in the development of employment strategies for implementation at national level.
UNDP also maintains a number of programmes which provide economic incentives for poverty reduction, such as its Growing Sustainable Business for Poverty Reduction Initiative, which works with the private sector to promote sustainable business projects in developing countries. This programme identifies new investment opportunities, facilitates access to finance and develops partners' skills to encourage investment, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa. These investment opportunities provide an economic incentive for countries to change the way they do business. Ireland contributed €50,000 to this initiative in 2006.
UNDP also works through its subsidiary Fund, the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), to invest in Least Developed Countries and to enhance the economic capacity of national Governments. UNCDF takes an innovative approach to this work, using microfinance to empower the poorest members of society, who are normally excluded from the financial system. It also builds the capacity of policy makers to identify constraints in the financial sector and to implement reform. Ireland contributed €400,000 to its work in 2006.
